Health Information - Understanding The Importance Of Blood Pressure
The article below is from a series of physical health articles, tips, videos and information about blood pressure …
It seems that the subject of blood pressure is often talked about and while most people know it’s important, not as many are clear about what it is and how high or low blood pressure really affects your health.
Blood is constantly being moved throughout the body via your blood vessels and arteries. Blood pressure measures the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as it passes through your arteries.
Every time your heart beats, which is approximately 60 to 70 times a minute for an average, healthy person when resting, it pumps blood out through the arteries which then carry it to every part of your body.
The blood pressure reading is at its highest when the heart beats and pushes out blood. This is called the systolic blood pressure. In between the beats your heart is at rest and the pressure in your arteries falls, this is known as the diastolic blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure readings are always measured as a pair of numbers representing the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure, which are both vital measurements. These numbers are generally written as one before the other separated with a slash, such as 110/75 mmHg. The first number, also called the top number, is the systolic reading. The second number, or bottom number, is the reading for the diastolic blood pressure measurement.
When this pair of numbers is recorded, the systolic blood pressure measurement is recorded first followed by the diastolic blood pressure measurement and in speaking of these measurements, it is common to say “my blood pressure is 110 over 75″ which is recorded as 110/75.
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day depending on your activities, your levels of stress and your emotional states. It will be at its lowest while you are resting, especially during sleep and rises during the day. If you spend most of your time sitting or standing it will remain relatively stable throughout the day.
The ideal blood pressure level is under 120/80. When the readings stay consistently high, such as at the point of 140/90, then you are considered to have high blood pressure. This is a fairly serious health concern because this state causes the heart to work harder, which will place stress on the arteries. It also raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems, such as kidney stones and kidney failure.
One typical question many people have is, what causes high blood pressure? Unfortunately, the answer is not simple and straightforward for many people because a single, specific cause cannot be pinpointed. This is known as primary or essential high blood pressure and there is ongoing research to discover the causes.
However, for others the condition is known to be a result of a particular medical problem they have or is caused by a medication they are taking. In these conditions, this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
The blood pressure readings give you, your physician and your health care provider vital details about your health situation today, as well as clues into possible future problems you might experience. This is why it’s essential to keep an eye on your pressure and be sure to consult with your medical practitioner if it is consistently above 140/90.
For more tips on blood pressure, visit: Heart Disease Prevention